HR ADVICE

The Gifting Guide

Budgeting for Christmas gifts can be challenging! As HR professionals, we understand there’s the Christmas party, potentially slow cash flow during January to think about and (in some industries) the burden of leave loading to consider. However, after working hard during the year, the team deserves some recognition. How do you reward your employees without getting an overdraft from the Bank?  Here are some tips from our HR Consulting services to offer some simple yet useful gift suggestions.

GIFTING GUIDE TIPS

1. Step Away From the Marketing Cupboard
As tempting as it might be to kill two birds with one gift, don’t give your team your unwanted and unused marketing collateral. Yes, you may start the year with a clean marketing cupboard but will the lack of team engagement be worth it? They know that it is unwanted and that’s the last emotion you want them to feel as they start making New Year’s resolutions.

2. Ask Them
Let’s face it. They work with you and know your budget. They are not going to be asking for the newest iWatch or an all-expense holiday to their dream location. So why not talk to your team and learn what they would really appreciate receiving this year? It’s not about the surprise, it’s about a gift your employees really want. An authentic gift will be appreciated regardless of how much you spend on it.

3. The Gift of Time
In the month leading up to Christmas, count the times your team tell you “I’m so busy, I don’t know when I’m going to fit it all in!”. Examine your clients’ needs and your budget and consider gifting an hour or even a half or full day off work for your team. They will appreciate it more than a $5 scratchie ticket that they know they’ll never win anything on. The gift of time will give your team a chance to get some of the Christmas chaos under control and you will have a more relaxed and happy team back at the office. Expensive maybe, but priceless when it comes to employee loyalty and focus during the push to get things done before the silly deadlines.

4. Coffee Anyone?
Most of us have a regular coffee (or tea or hot chocolate) addiction to feed, so why not get them a reusable coffee cup and fill it? Talk to your local cafe about a bulk deal and buy some gift certificates to support a week of coffee runs. They’ll appreciate you when they are getting their fix and you are promoting sustainability.

5. A Night at the Cinema
Treat your staff to a voucher for a local cinema. Bulk purchasing tickets can make a huge difference to the price.
There are so many movies that come out at this time of year and they get to relax and enjoy! It may even be possible to find something that they all agree on and turn it into a team building activity as well. Bonus!

6. Living Gifts
Small and beautiful pot plants are often something that keeps on living for years. Talk to your local florist or nursery about the best options. There are so many easy-care plants to chose from that you are bound to find something within budget and that will be appreciated by the team. Often you will see the plants strategically positioned throughout the office for months or years to come.

7. Festive Goodies
Chocolates, wine and speciality foods will always go down well. It is almost impossible for you not to find something in this line that your team will appreciate.

8. But most important of all, make it personal.
Don’t forget…Even Santa has elves! Have to squeeze in hours into your busy schedule to think about Christmas presents?
Before you tear up the to-do list and throw your hands in the air, remember that help is at hand. Wrapped and beautifully presented gifts can be delivered to your door with little more than an online order or call. But remember to make it personal! Write that card or do something else to let your team know you care.

If you need extra help, call on  1300 474 672  or email us and we’ll be happy to support you through this Christmas season while you focus on business.